Man charged in fatal Homewood arson could face death penalty

PITTSBURGH — A man accused of burning down a Homewood house in December, killing two women and a 4-year-old girl, could face the death penalty if he's convicted.

Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala’s office announced the decision Tuesday afternoon. The district attorney says this filing is based on several reasons, including Martell Smith's significant criminal history and the fact that one of the victims was a child.

Smith, 41, allegedly started the early-morning house fire on Dec. 20 after a confrontation at a Penn Hills bar earlier in the evening.

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Sandra Carter Douglas, 58, and her son’s girlfriend, Shamira Staten, 21, died in the Bennet Street blaze, as did Staten’s daughter, Chy’enne Manning.

Douglas’ husband, Cecil Douglas, escaped by climbing out a window; he suffered a broken ankle.

Investigators say they have surveillance video of Smith buying gasoline at a Sunoco before the fire. And according to court documents, witnesses overheard Smith saying, "Yep, I did it," as he stood looking at the fire.

He faces three counts of criminal homicide, several related arson charges and narcotics charges.

A second person, Tiasia Malloy, was also arrested at the scene, charged with aggravated assault on an officer.

Cox Media Group